Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine ›› 2016, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (2): 121-125.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-5817.2016.02.008

Special Issue: 实验动物伦理与福利专辑

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Study on the Benefits of Multi-welfare Strategies in Minipigs

HU Ying, YANG Fei   

  1. Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
  • Received:2015-10-21 Online:2016-04-25 Published:2016-04-25

Abstract: Objective To study improvements in well-being of minipigs with multi-welfare strategies (combine with music, aromatherapy oils, nutrients, toys, biological activity bedding). Methods Twelve female Bama minipigs from 6 litters were used in this study, while every 2 pigs from the same litter were divided separately into conventional group and optimized group. After 9 weeks’ rearing, the expression of stress-related molecules, immune balance, blood parameters and growth performance were measured. Results Pigs from optimized group display lower serum cortisol level and lower IFN-γ/IL-4 as well as lower expression in GR mRNA and HSP70 mRNA, meanwhile their RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, WBC, NEUT and EO were observed higher than those from conventional group. Conclusion Multi-welfare strategies is benefit to reduce stress lever of minipigs and enhance their anti-stress ability, meanwhile, it can also change the immune balance and blood routine.

Key words: Minipig, Stress, Environmental enrichment

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